Didn't really need a forecast today as the strong SE wind and the lenticulars over the valley made it pretty clear that it was going to be a wave day. However an approaching warm front meant that the air was quite moist and that there would be quite alot of cloud.
Not the usual leisurely start as the Lasham gliders were all ready to go by 11am well ahead of everyone else. David was first with Bob in 775 and a sporting tow to about 5000' was enough to get them into the wave in the lee of Cuculo. There were several layers of cloud due to the moist air making for interesting flying and beautiful cloudscapes. 775 was still climbing at 18,000' when the ClearNav was giving airspace warnings and it was starting to feel cold. It takes a surprising long time to descent from that height.
Gordon and Steve in 431 topped out at about 12,000' as the lower level wave had reorganised itself in the short time between launches. From this height they were able to fly down the wave bar to the end of the Yesa lake. At times 8/8ths cloud cover restricted the options for exploring beyond the immediate vicinity of the airfield.
775 flew again with Terry and Bob but they had to work hard to contact the wave and spent an hour and a half grinding away in the rotor thermals before finding 7kts just to the west of the airfield. 12,000' was the max this time.
Adrian and Gordon in 431 also got t0 12,000' and explored the valley to the east of Sabinanigo. The increasing cloud cover, the cold and fatigued P1s brought and end to flying for the day.
A replacement vario for the Duo Discus has arrived. Something for Gordon to do if we have a rainy day.
Bob.
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